Onset of a Propagating Self-Sustained Spin Reversal Front in a Magnetic System

TL;DR

This paper investigates how energy release during spin reversal in magnetic materials can cause a self-sustained propagating front, exploring the transition between thermal relaxation and magnetic deflagration in Mn$_{12}$-acetate crystals.

Contribution

It demonstrates control over the crossover between thermally driven relaxation and magnetic deflagration using heat pulses and magnetic fields.

Findings

Identification of a propagating spin reversal front

Control of the transition between relaxation regimes

Observation of a constant subsonic propagation speed

Abstract

The energy released in a magnetic material by reversing spins as they relax toward equilibrium can lead to a dynamical instability that ignites self-sustained rapid relaxation along a deflagration front that propagates at a constant subsonic speed. Using a trigger heat pulse and transverse and longitudinal magnetic fields, we investigate and control the crossover between thermally driven magnetic relaxation and magnetic deflagration in single crystals of Mn$_{12}$-acetate.